ACL - You Took Our Breath Away

This is a post by our new contributor, Ami.

Dear ACL:

You took our breath away. No, seriously. We couldn’t breathe. And still can’t. You were a swirling cloud of dust that not only coated all exposed exterior surfaces of our skin and clothes, but also our interior sinus cavities, respiratory systems, and lord knows what else. Did you think that we wouldn’t be challenged enough by the infernal, record-breaking heat? Were you afraid that mayhem would ensue if we were actually able to take in full breaths of air? You do realize that all those people were wearing bandanas tied around their mouths and noses not as a fashion statement, but because they COULDN’T BREATHE!

Why? Why did you torture us so? We paid good money for our wristbands. We read all your newsletters and followed all your instructions. We waited in line and let you search our backpacks. We didn’t try to sneak in more than our two allotted factory-sealed water bottles. We stoically made difficult choices between bands we wanted to see who were playing at the same time. We purchased $4 beers, $1 cups of ice, and $20 T-shirts without complaint. We recycled our cans and bottles. We didn’t push or shove anyone or step on their blankets. We even gave out-of-towners the benefit of our local BBQ savvy by making vendor recommendations. All we wanted was to have a good time and listen to some music. Oh – and respire. Was that too much to ask?!

And the aftermath isn’t pretty either. Not pretty at all. You’re all cleaned up now and sitting pretty. Dogs are chasing their frisbees, and soccer games have resumed on your festival grounds. But we’re still rubbing our itchy eyes. We’re still oozing brown phlegm from every orifice and expecting to hack up a black lung or two at any moment. We don’t know, ACL. Maybe we’re just getting old, but we’re not sure we can do it again for all three days next year.

That said, and all emphysema aside, the music we were able to hear over the sound of our labored, wheezing gasps for air, kicked some serious ass. And we do appreciate your meticulous organization and successful efforts to eliminate the overcrowding of last year. And we really don’t mean to be whiners, ACL – we aren’t even complaining about the heat, but isn’t there some way – any way – to make sure we can breathe next year?

Thanks.

Love,

Austinist

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By Em in Arts & Entertainment, Other on September 28, 2005 2:47 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

edward

There are over three hundred bands each in these two major fall festivals. Guess they didn't get the memo that they are supposed to be holed up in the studio.

NEMO 2005

M.E.A.N.Y. Fest 2005

odam

vin-di-ca-tion

am

My bandmate John is also in Thievery Corp, this was there last stop of a summer long, worldwide tour. That is the case for most bands. Tour all summer, write and record all winter.

A

I just got an email from ACL inviting me to "relive" the weekend. Jesus - I barely survived it the first time. No thanks.

Ray

No music is worth feeling like a coal miner for a week. Today is the first day I feel like I can breath reasonably normally, and I'm still not at 100%.

There were plenty of single day tickets for sale from scalpers the day of of the show. I think that's the way I'm gonna go next year, only if there is some must-see band, and only if they either move it to October or announce ahead of time that they've done something about the dust.

Seeing Roky made it worthwhile, but the crowds made most of the rest of it seem like watching it on TV. A TV in Iraq. In a dust storm.

odam

texas=always about football. guess it always does. sad.

edward

There's a fall festival circuit too, so I'd be surprised if the fact that it's the end of summer is really much of a factor in scheduling. In fact, I'd bet most of the bands would probably rather play in non broiling conditions. All in all, it all comes down to football.

k8

I also did not realize ACL required Burning Man style preparedness. Otherwise I would have had my goggles and mask on hand.

And maybe some el wire and more hula hoops...

Love from an admirer who has gone through two boxes of tissues this week already!

xoxox

odam

they don't want to conflict with UT football, and the end of september, and thus the end of summer, is the end of the festival circuit. therefore, bands are either on hiatus, in the studio or otherwise obligated during october. festivals happen in the summer, not the fall. it just so happens we don't have a fall.

ami, were you the hottie festooned in yellow wristbands with brown sludge oozing from your nose and eyes? burly grrr....

sam

They absolutely need to move this event to October, but that will likely conflict with UT football. I can't see many attendees this year wanting to return in September of next year - certainly not this one.

edward

I heard they are thinking about watering down the grounds some before next year's fest to control the dust. Even if they over do it and it turns in to a mud pit still beats black lung.

On the other hand, since ACL always sells out, they don't have any real incentive to do anything to serve attendees better that doesn't also directly improve ACL's bottom line. Why do you think they haven't moved it to a less hellish time of the year?

A

That's fucked up. I still feel like shit. Be honest g-r-e-e-k - you were paid by Acuvue 2 to say that, weren't you?

g-r-e-e-k

On a positive note, the dust and haze created an uplifting visual experience for concertgoers. The pink, green, and blue hues streamed through the dust to miraculous effect.

Somehow the atmosphere, ambience, aesthetics -- something! -- actually helped me get over a cough that had been bugging me for two weeks.

Also, in spite of the floating dust, my contacts (Acuvue 2) never once complained, itched, dried-up, popped-out or otherwise bungled the experience of ACLFest. Thank you. --Now if only those water fountain lines were shorter.